MUKWITA’S “PARIAH STATE” CLAIM FACTUALLY WRONG…Zambia’s 2026 Election Was Endorsed As Free, Fair and Peaceful.

MUKWITA’S “PARIAH STATE” CLAIM FACTUALLY WRONG …Zambia’s 2026 Election Was Endorsed As Free, Fair and Peaceful. The United Party for National Development notes with concern the statement attributed to former Diplomat Anthony Mukwita, in which he warns that Zambia risks becoming a “pariah state” following comments by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Ambassador […]

MUKWITA’S “PARIAH STATE” CLAIM FACTUALLY WRONG

…Zambia’s 2026 Election Was Endorsed As Free, Fair and Peaceful.

The United Party for National Development notes with concern the statement attributed to former Diplomat Anthony Mukwita, in which he warns that Zambia risks becoming a “pariah state” following comments by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Ambassador Mukwita is misleading the nation by turning a routine UN press comment into a declaration that Zambia is becoming a pariah state. The facts on the ground contradict him.

The UN did not declare Zambia a Pariah State, Mukwita Did.The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk, expressed concern over reports and called for due process. That is his mandate. He did not call Zambia a pariah state, did not call for sanctions, and did not say Zambia violated international law

Ambassador Mukwita is putting his own words into the UN’s mouth. A concern is not a condemnation.

Zambia’s 2026 Election Was Endorsed by the World, Not Rejected.If Zambia was becoming a pariah, the international community would have rejected the August 13 election. The opposite happened.

The EU Observation Mission, AU, COMESA, SADC and the Commonwealth all declared the elections as largely peaceful, transparent and credible. Heads of State from across Africa and beyond, including leaders from the USA, EU, UK and the UN Secretary-General himself, have congratulated President Hakainde Hichilema.

Pariah states do not get congratulatory messages. They get sanctions. Zambia is getting investment pledges.

The Arrests Were Not Arbitrary following Due Process.We want to inform Mr. Mukwita that the arrests were not “arbitrary.” An arbitrary arrest is when someone is detained without charge and without being taken to court.

What happened in Zambia is:
– All individuals cited were arrested on specific charges under the Penal Code – not for being opposition members.
– All were taken to court within 48 hours as required by Article 13 of the Constitution.
– All were granted police bond or court bail, including those Mr. Mukwita is referring to.
– The courts are handling the matters, not State House.

That is the definition of due process, not arbitrary detention.

Zambia’s Democratic Credentials Are Stronger Today Than Before. Ambassador Mukwita served under a regime where opposition leaders were charged with treason for not giving way to a motorcade, where Prime TV was shut down, and where protests were banned under the Public Order Act.

Under President Hichilema:
– The Public Order Act has been reformed to allow freedom of assembly.
– No media house has been closed.
– Opposition parties campaigned freely in all 10 provinces, including in perceived UPND strongholds.
– For the first time, a sitting Zambian President conceded constituency results live on TV where he lost.

Real Pariah States Look Nothing Like Zambia.A pariah state, as defined in international relations, is a country under UN sanctions, suspended from the AU, with travel bans – like military regimes in the region.

Zambia in 2026 is a member of the UN Human Rights Council, is chairing key SADC committees, is hosting international summits, and is receiving over $1.2 billion in new investment commitments post-election.

Ambassador Mukwita is a respected international relations expert, but on this matter he is wrong. He is recycling opposition talking points as international law

Government will continue to uphold due process which it IS doing by taking all cases to court. But Zambia must not be blackmailed by the misuse of the phrase “pariah state” to release suspects who must answer charges in court.

Due process means letting the courts decide, not releasing people because the UN expressed concern.

UPND MT